Trimming mechanism



Dec. 18, B923. 11,4?,314

. R. L. WILCOX TRIMMING MECHANI SM Filed July .1., 1921- 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Jly 1,

1921 3v Sheets-Sheet 2 /7 Km @ZM Dec. 38 1923. l

R. L. WlLcox TRIMMING MECHANI SM Filed July .1, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet DPatented Dea:a 1d, 1923.

Enr-i riJ all Application lef .Tuly l,

T @ZZ wiiom t may concern Be it known that l, Riel-nino LnsTni: WiL-cox, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at lliiaterbury. in thecounty of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain newand useful improvements in r1`rimming Mechanisms, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying`drawings.

rihis invention relates to a new and iniproved trimming mechanism andhas for its object, among other things, to provide a machine fortrimming blanks that will be most efiicient in its operation, andconstructed of the fewest possible parts.

rllhe. improvements in the details and arrangement of parts will beapparent yfrom an inspection of the accompanying 'drawings in connectionwith the description hereinafter containedl and wherein a preferredembodiment of the invention is disclosed for the purpose of imparting anunderstanding of the same. Y

1n the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a machine for trimming blanks havingmy improvements connected therewith, taken generally along line 1-1 ofFigure 2, which is the center iine of operation of the machine.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine such as shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view of a portion of the main driving shaft withsome of the parts connected theiicwith in section;

Figure 4 .is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the frame of themachine, illustrating therein an elevation of the stripper mechanism;and Y Figure V5 is a similar view of the frame,

the `parts in section being-takeny generally at substantially a rightangle to Figure 4, and upon the line 1-1 of Figure 2, illustrating alsoanother elevation of the stripper mechanism. l

A machine for trimmingblanks of the same general type as that hereinshown is disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,294,993, issued February 18,1919.

Having more particular reference to the drawings in connection withVwhich like' reference characters will refer to corresponding parts,designates the -frame of the inachine which is supported upon suitablelegs and having rotatably mounted therein a.

leer. serial no. 481,848.

main driving shaft 12 having cranks 18 and .14 connected therewith.

vCnlidably mounted upon a slideway 15 of the frame 10 and held in placeby caps 16 is a main gate 17. On the front of this gate is a punch 18which rests against a backing plate 19 and is supported in a holder 20,having a horizontal motion in a second holder 21. A clamp 22 secures theholder 2Q in av Atried position. Vertical adjustment .ot the secondholder y21 is obtained by means .secondary gate 29. Supported in themain gate 17 and in the secondary gate 29 in line with each other arethe pins or rods 32 upon which are liournaled the rolls and 31. Carriedby the secondary gate 29 isV the pusher rod 33, one end of which extendsthrough an opening in the punch 1S. This rod is adjustable relativelythereto in any convenient or well known manner.`

As operating means for the toggles 24 and 25, there vis provided aconnecting rodA 34 which with the link 35 constitutes a sec.- ondtoggle-operated by a connecting rod 36 which is connected with the maindriving shaft 12 through the crank 13. The link 35 is mounted onbearings 37 supported by the frame 10.

LMounted so as to be vertically movable between the rolls 30 andV 31 andhaving contact therewith is the cam 38 which is secured to a connectinrTrod 39 which is also face 41, a high point 65, above which the' cam faceiares outwardly` at a relatively sharp angle.

Connected with the inner wail of the frame 10 substantially opposite theforward end of the gate 17 is a die holder 43 within which is mounted acutting die 42 and a planishing or finishingv die 44. ln the rear of theplanishing die'is a backing plate 45 having an opening` 46 therethroughwhich communicates with an opening 47 through the frame 10. The ope ing`48 through the die 42 is the same shape as the cross-section of theblank to be trimmed and the opening through the planishing die is alsoof the same shape, but slightly smaller in its dimensions. Both of thesedies operate in a well known manner and the shape of the openingstherein may be varied indefinitely,

as well as the manner of holding theirl in position, either separatelyor relatively. lt is not essential, of course, that a planishing dieshould be used and the same may be omitted if desired.

The operation of the mechanism above described is as follows,-assuniingnow that a blank, as 49, is placed between the punch 18 and die 42 andin alignment with. the openings therethrough, the rotation of the maindriving` shaft 12 will first straighten the toggle formed by the links34 and 35, which will, in turn, straighten the toggle formed by thelinks 24 and 25 to move the main gate 17 to the left of Figure 1.Vilhile this is taking place the cam 38 which is operated by the crank14 on the main driving shaft 12, will also he in motion, but the cranks13 and 14 are so positioned that the first effect as the main gate 17moves forward, is to cause a motion of the pusher rod 33 to the right ofFigure. 1 relatively to the main gate 17, so that, when the punch 18contacts with the blank.y the pusher rod will have been moved withinsaid punch.

rlhe punch 18 forces the blank to the left of Figure 1 and into the die42. At. this time the toggle formed by the links 34, 35, 25 and 24 areapproaching their straightened position so that the pressure availablefor cutting blanks is very great. e

The adjustment the parts issuch that as shown herein the movement of thepunch 18 forces the head of the blank 4S) substantially through the die42, thus trimming the blank to a point that is approximately the top ofthe head thereof. lhe adjustment of the movement of the main gate 17issuch that the relative position of the face of the punch 18 and thecutting;` face of the die 42 may be varied, but as shown here in theface of the punch 18 in its ex eine forward position is stopped ci .ierexactly i flush with or a slight distancey 'trom the face "of the die42, preferably the latter.

During the forward motion of the main gate 17, the cam 38 by reason orits cam invasie faces 40 and 41 holds the outer end of the pusher rod 33either flush with or just behind, as may be desired, the face of thepunch 18.

`When the main gate 17 is in its extreme forward position, the cam rolls30 and 31 are against the lower portion or the canr the cam roll 31which rides over said cam roll bringing` the upper portion of the camface 41 against said roll.

As this portion of the cam face curves outwardly a relatively sharpangle, a very quick and rapid movement is imparted to the pusher rod,after the blank is pushed through the planishing die and drops throughthe opening 47 into a receptacle conveniently arranged to receive it.

The relative movement of the pusher rod is about as follows:

As the punch 18 moves forwardly the end of the pusher rod 33 is eitherflush with the face or in rear thereof, as may be desired. After thepunch 18 has engaged the head of the blank 49 and advanced the same to apoint where the underside thereof is in contact with the cutting face ofthe die 42 the end of the pusher rod 33 is flush withy the end of thepunch 18. While pressure is beingapplied by the punch 18, the face ofthe pusher rod remains flush with the end of the punch and travels atthe same speed. `When the punch completes its forward movement thepusher rod, however, continues its movement at approximately the samespeed, at this time applying` pressure to the blank and 'pushing itentirely across the cuttin edge of the die 42. 1When the blank is inthis posi tion the speed of the pusher rod is accelerated to carry theblank entirely through the opening in the die 42 until `it contacts withthe planishingry die 67 in the rear. lts speed is again retarded untilthe blank has about passed through the planishingdie when its speed isagain accelerated to ,give the blank a kick or push that assists gravityin carrying' the blank out and away from the dies. The pusher rod now'travels in a reverse direction at a very much increased speed, to cleartl e open space in front of the die 42 and permit the feeding` of ay newblank. These several relative speeds are acquired exact timed relationwith the progress of the blank towardand through the dies.

The cam rolls 30 and 31 are maintained in Contact with the cam faces ofthe cam by the springs 64 which are connected at their opposite ends tothe posts 63,yiiXed respectively in the mainA gate 17 and the secondarygate 29. Other means of course may be provided for maintaining thiscontact aside from the spring mechanism just described.

Preferably I arrange the toggle links 24 and 25 in their operativeposition so that, just before the pusher rod 38 forces .the blankthroughthe die 42, the toggles 24 and 25 are moved beyond the center orbroken slightly to draw the main gate 1'? 4to the right of Figure l,This relieves the pressure on the metal left uncut by the punch 18 anddie 42, while the blank is being pushedL into the die 42 by the pusherrod 33 and give space for the chip formed by the trimming operation-produced from the forcing of the blank into the die 42 by the punch l8.

The planishing'die' 44 may be lubricated through the opening 67 in awell known manner.

It is common in mechanisms of'this character to support the shank of theblank 49 by a quill or other centeringdevice while the same is beingpassed through the die 42. Such mechanism is not herein shown as it isnot a part of my present invention.

Any form of Amechanism may be utilized for presenting the blank 49 in aposition wherein the aXis thereof is coincident with the axis of theope-ning of the punch 18v and die 42, and therefore I havev not shownsuch mechanism, it being understood that thev blanks may be presented insuch position either manually or automatically, as desired.A

Frequently the chip cut from a blank does not readily free itself and inorder to insure a positive clearance of the chip, l have vprovided astripper mechanism. This comprises a rock member 50 which is mountedupon a stud 5l fixed in a bracket 52 connected with'the frame l() andhaving anarm 58A connected therewith which carries a finger 54 upon theouter end thereof, and an arm 55 which is connected by the link 68 withthe rock arm 58 journaled upon a stud 59 in the frame l() and carrying aroll 60 thereon which contacts with the periphery of the cam 6l fixed onthe main driving shaft l2. The link 68 is connected with the arm 58 bymeans of the stud 56 and connecting pin 5T and with the arm 55 by asimilar stud 69 and pin 70. f

` A spring 62 connected with the arm 53 and the frame. 10 exerts itstension so as to maintainV the roll 60 in contact with the cam 61.V Theshape ofthe cam 51.1 and the positioning of the parts is such that whena blank isbe- Ving moved through the die 42, the upper end the face ofthe die 42 and clear therefrom any chips that may have adhered thereto.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is:

l. :in a mechanism of the character described, a pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from each other, a pusher rod forforcing the blank through one of the tools, toggle mechanism foractuatingonc of said tools, and cam mechanism for actuating said pusherrod, whereby the relative speed of movement of said pusher rod isdefinitelyv controlled.

2. In a mechanism ofthe character described, a pair of tools relativelymovable toward and away from each other, a pusher rod forforcing theblank through one of the tools, toggle mechanisms for actuating vone ofsaid tools, and means for actuating said pusher rod to give it anaccelerated f movement during the final portion of its stroke in onedirection.

3. In a mechanism of ther character ndescribed, a shaft havingindependent cranksY through one of the tools, toggle mecha-` nism foractuating one of said tools, and cani mechanism for actuating saidpusher rod,fsaid toggle and cam mechanisms being actuated from theindependent cranks of said shaft. Y

4. In a mechanism of the. character described, a shaft having a crankthereon, a pair of tools relativelymovable toward and away from eachother,.a pusher rod for forcing a blank through one of the tools, togglemechanism for actuating one of said tools, and cam mechanism foractuating said pusher rod having a connection with the said crank.

5. In a mechanism of the character dcscribed, a pair of tools relativelymovable toward and away from each other. a pusher rod for forcing theblank through one of the tools, toggle mechanism Vfor actuating one ofsaid tools. and mechanism comprising in part a cam having two operatingfaces thereon for actuating said pusher rod having a verticalreciprocatoiy movement be-V tween two parts having motion relatively toeach other.

6. In a'mechanism of the character described, a `pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from cach other, a pusher rod forforcing the blankr through one of the tools, toggle mechanism foractuating oneof said tools, andl mechanism comprising in part a camhaving two Voperating faces for actuating said pusher rod.y said camhaving a vertical reciprocatory movement between rtwo parts that atdifferent times have motion as a unit and relatively to each other.7.111 a mechanism of the character deso shaped that the relative speedof motion of said pusher rod is made variable thereby at differentpoints in its movement, a rotating shaft having,- a crank thereon, andmeans for actuatinpr said cam from the crank of said rotating shaft.

8. In a mechanism of the character described., a pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from each other, a pusher rod forforcing' the blank through one of the tools, toggle mechanism foractuating; one of said tools, and cam mechanism for 'actuating saidpusher rod having` two cam faces thereon which flare outwardlyrelatively to each other for a portion of the length of said cam and oneof said faces flaring outwardly at a relatively sharp angle near one endthereof.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of tools relativelymovable toward andaway from each other, a pusher mechanisml for forcingthe blank through one of the tools, and means, as a transversely movablefinger, for clearing the face of one of said tools.

10. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from each other, a pusher mechanismfor forcingthe blank through one of the tools, toggle mechanism foractuatingone of said tools, means, as a transversely movable linger, forclearing;` the face of one of said tools, and means for actuatingsaidfinger from the same shaft that actuates said toggle mechanism.

11. In a mechanism of the character described, acutting tool. a rotaryshaft, stripper mechanism for moving;` any surplus metal upon the faceof said tool, comprising` a rock member mounted so as to move upon anaxis at substantially a right angle to said shaft. a finger connectedwith the outer end of said rock member, that travels across the face ofsaid cutting tool, means for actuating said rock member in one directionfrom said shaft, comprising a cam connected with said shaft, a rockmember actuated by said cam, and a link between said rock members, andmeans for maintaining contact with said cam of the part actuatedthereby.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from each other. a pusher rod vforforcingr the blank through one of the tools, toggle mechanism foractuating' one. of said tools, cam mechanism for actuating; said pusherrod, a shaft, means for actuating said toggle and cam mechanisms fromsaid shaft, a rock lever, a finger connected with said rock lever, andmeans for actuating said rock lever from said shaft whereby in timedrelation to the movement of one of said-tools it will move across theopening VinV toward and away from each other; a pusher mechanism forforcing the blank through one of the tools that will travel at differentrelative speeds during the stroke, one of the speeds being'substantially the same as that of the movable tool until the blank haspassed the cutting` edge of the non-movable tool. v

15. In a mechanism of the character described, a pair of toolsrelatively movable toward and away from each other; a pusher mechanismIfor forcing the blank through one of the tools that will move at thesame speed as the movable tool while in contact with the blank and willcontinue atv approximately the same speed after said movable tool hascome to rest and until the blank has passed the cutting edge ofthe'non-movable tool, and will travel at an accelerated speed for alimited distance thereafter.

16. In a mechanism of the character described, a cuttingdie; planishingdie concentric therewith and adjacent thereto; a punch; means for movingsaid punch toward the cutting' die until the same is either flush withthe face thereof or a point approxii'i'iating' the same; a pusher rodwithin said punch that travels at the saine speed as said punch whilethe same is in contact with a blank between said 'cutting die and punch,and continues at substantially the same speed after saidA punch has cometo rest and until thel blank has passed the cutting face of said cuttingdie andthereafter continues its movement at an accelerated speed untilthe blank engages the pla-nishing die when the movement thereof isretarded while the blank is being advanced through the planishing die.

17. In a mechanism of the character described, a cutting die; aplanishing die concentric therewith and adjacent thereto; a punch; meansfor moving said punch toward the cutting.,r die until the same is eitherlflush with the face thereof or apoint apwith a blank between saidcutting die and punch, and continues at substantially the same speedafter said punch has come to rest and until the blank has passed thecutting face of said cutting die and thereafter continues its movementat an accelerated speed until the blank engages the planishing die whenthe movement thereof is retarded while the blank is being advancedthrough the planishing die, and after said blank has substantiallypassed through said planishing die, travels at an accelerated speed andkicks or pushes the blank so that it may clear they said planishing die.

18. In a mechanism of the character described, a cutting die; aplanishing die concentric therewith and adjacent thereto; a punch; meansfor moving said punch toward the cutting die until the same is eitherflush with the face thereof or a point approximating the same; a pusherrod within said punch; and means for actuating said pusher rod wherebythe same will travel at the saine speed as said punch while the same isin contact with a blank between said cutting die and punch, and willcontinue at substantially the same speed after said punch has come torest and until the blank has passed the cutting face of said cutting dieand thereafter will continue its movement at an accelerated speed untilsaid blanky engages the planishing die when thev movement thereof willbe retarded while the blank is being advanced through the planishingdie, and after said blank has substantially passed through saidplanishing die, will again travel at an accelerated speed and kick orpush the blank so that it may clear the said planishing die, and willthereafter be withdrawn from said planishing and cutting dies at anaccelerated speed.

19. In mechanism of the character described; means for trimming a blank,comprising a pair of tools, one of which is movable relatively towardthe other; during which time the blank is cut in a plane parallel withthe direction of movement of the movable tool, said movable toolstopping its movement before said cut is made entirely across saidblank; and means, having a less cross sectional area than that of theblank for moving the blank beyond the cutting edge of the non-movabletool and at the same speed of movement as that of the moving tool and byreason thereof continuing the cut of said non-movable tool entirelyacross the face of said blank.

In testimony whereof; l have hereunto afxed my signature.

RICHARD LESTER WILCOX.

